(Please contact the appropriate agency below for more information as these resources are not provided through the Department of Revenue.)
- USDA Disaster Assistance Programs
Local program availability and individual eligibility will be determined by the USDA servicing office. For more information about disaster programs
in your area, contact your local USDA service center.
- Florida Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Idalia and are not eligible for regular state or Federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. FloridaCommerce is accepting applications for DUA from residents and businesses in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee, and Taylor counties, the FEMA-designated disaster impacted area as of September 4, 2023. The deadline to submit a claim for DUA benefits is no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 3, 2023 for businesses and residents in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. For businesses and residents in Pinellas County the deadline to submit a claim for DUA benefits is no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 5, 2023. To file a DUA claim, visit www.FloridaJobs.org or call 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to assist claimants. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak to a customer service representative.
- Insurance Consumer Assistance
The toll-free Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-877-693-5236) can answer business and consumer-oriented insurance-related questions.
More information is available on the Chief Financial Officer's website.
- Disaster Contractors Network
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has activated the Disaster Contractors Network (DCN). DCN is specifically designed to help
ensure homeowners are not duped by an unlicensed contractor by connecting homeowners needing emergency repairs with Florida-licensed contractors and construction
suppliers. Once homeowners are safely able to assess their home repair needs, they are encouraged to log onto
DCNOnline.org and search by county for a
list of Florida-licensed contractors in their local community who are providing these services. Licensed contractors and suppliers can log onto
DCNOnline.org to register their licensed
company.
- State Assistance Information Line: 1-800-342-3557
The Florida State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for Floridians to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the state of Florida. SAIL is currently activated and available 24 hours/7 days a week.
- FEMA Critical Needs Assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) may provide financial assistance to Hurricane Idalia applicants who have immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary dwellings. Immediate or critical needs are lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items, and fuel for transportation. Critical Needs Assistance is a one-time $700 payment per household. There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. The line is open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET daily.
- FEMA Clean and Sanitize Assistance
If your home was damaged by Hurricane Idalia but you can live in it safely, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. This assistance is for eligible homeowners and renters. There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. The line is open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET daily.
- Free Hurricane Idalia Home Cleanup Hotline
Call 1-800-451-1954 for free help from local relief agencies. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed.
- County Emergency Management Contacts: https://www.floridadisaster.org/counties/
- Office of Insurance Regulation Resources
850-413-31400;
https://www.floir.com/Office/HurricaneSeason/hurricaneresourcepage.aspx
- American Red Cross
View a list of open shelters at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html.
1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767)
- Department of Financial Services (DFS)
The toll-free Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-877-693-5236, Florida Relay Service: 711 (TDD/TTY). 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST, or online at
www.myfloridacfo.com) can answer business and
consumer-oriented insurance-related questions. Specialists can help individuals review their policies, understand their coverage, file a claim, and assist in
communicating with insurance companies. DFS's Division of Consumer Services maintains a Hurricane Resources website at
https://myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/storm/resources. The Division of Consumer Services also houses a Disaster Preparedness website at
prepareFL.com.